The encore to the team's first day of passing camp was 15 minutes of running wind sprints up and down the hill. Anderson had a pass to skip anything he didn't like, but he tackled the extra work with the same vigor that's allowed him to recover from re-constructive knee surgery in just eight months.

''I'm glad to be out there,'' Anderson said. ''Today is eight months to the day since I had my surgery. It was good to be back in the huddle again.''

Anderson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on his third carry against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 20. Without Anderson in the backfield, the Falcons dropped from their Super Bowl appearance following the 1998 season to a 5-11 record.

Atlanta started four weeks of passing drills at their complex Monday morning, and it was the perfect chance for Anderson to test his strength and, more important, to get some work in a practice setting. The Falcons don't want to rush Anderson's recovery, but the veteran who rushed for 1,846 yards two years ago refused to back off any challenge during the 90-minute session.

''We're going to let him do what he thinks he can do,'' said coach Dan Reeves. ''He did everything.

''One thing about hurting your knee is everything you do after that is to make it stronger and stronger. You want to build strength and confidence. You don't want to feel a twinge.''

''I don't know where he is,'' Reeves said. ''He probably forgot. He usually comes in and works out in the afternoons, and he'll probably show up later today and realize he forgot.''

Rookie free agent Doug Johnson, a quarterback from Florida, also was missing. He was excused to be with his mother as she prepared for major surgery.

Reeves said he was impressed with the workout.

''I thought we played with a lot of hustle, a lot of determination,'' he said. ''You know, (training) camp is right around the corner. This is a good way to get familiar with the terminology and the routine. It gets everybody on the same page.

''It also helps build arm strength for the quarterbacks. Once you start two-a-days, it takes a toll on your arm.''

There were 81 players in camp Monday, including all of the team's draft picks and notable free agents cornerback Ashley Ambrose, wide receiver Shawn Jefferson and defensive end Brady Smith.

But no player was more celebrated than Anderson.

''I plan to take it a little easy so I won't have a lot of soreness,'' Anderson said. ''They're not holding me back. They told me to do what I can do. Right now, I feel good.''